[A case of sarcoidosis with bilateral pleural effusion treated with high-dose steroids].

A 25-year-old man was admitted with elevated fever, dyspnea, cough, dorsal chest pain, and multiple nodular shadows and pleural effusion found on chest X-ray films. There were multiple swollen superficial lymph nodes, and non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas with Langhans giant cells were detected on a biopsy specimen of a right inguinal lymph node. Bronchoscopy findings demonstrated mucosal irregularity, telangiectasia and small nodules, and another biopsy specimen was similar to that of the inguinal lymph node. The number of lymphocytes and the CD4/CD8 ratio were elevated in his bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and serum ACE and lysozymes levels were also elevated. These findings are compatible with sarcoidosis. Although his symptoms and pleural effusion improved with the administration of 30 mg/day prednisolone (PSL), these findings recurred after about 4 weeks. Therefore, we increased the PSL dose to 60 mg/day, and his symptoms, pleural effusions and laboratory data improved again. There were no signs of relapse after tapering and discontinuance of PSL.

Epigenetic inactivation of the thyroid hormone receptor beta1 gene at 3p24.2 in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Frequent allelic loss on chromosome 3p in various human cancers suggests the presence of tumor suppressor genes in this region. The thyroid hormone receptor beta1 (TRbeta1) gene is located at 3p24.2, where allelic loss frequently occurs in lung cancer, and aberrant TRbeta1 methylation was observed in several human cancers. METHODS: We examined the expression, mutation, and promoter methylation of TRbeta1 in 18 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 29 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), direct sequencing, or methylation-specific PCR. Four lung cancer cell lines lacking TRbeta1 expression were treated with 5-aza-2-deoxy-cytidine and/or trichostatin-A, and the TRbeta1 expression was determined by RT-PCR. We also examined the TRbeta1 methylation in 116 NSCLC surgical specimens and analyzed the correlation between methylation status and clinicopathological parameters or mutations of KRAS and EGFR. RESULTS: TRbeta1 expression was absent in 61% of SCLCs and 48% of NSCLCs, and 67% of SCLCs and 45% of NSCLCs carried TRbeta1 promoter methylation, while no somatic mutation was found in all cell lines. TRbeta1 methylation status was significantly associated with loss of TRbeta1 expression. TRbeta1 expression was restored by treatment with 5-aza-2-deoxy-cytidine and/or trichostatin-A in four cell lines. TRbeta1 methylation was found in 47% of NSCLC surgical specimens; however, the methylation was not significantly associated with any clinicopathological parameters or mutations of KRAS and EGFR. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate epigenetic inactivation of TRbeta1 through aberrant methylation in lung cancer, while TRbeta1 mutations are not common in lung cancer.

[A case of non-small cell lung cancer responding to S-1 over a year].

A 71-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital, because of an abnormality on her chest radiograph findings. After extensive examination, she was diagnosed with primary lung adenocarcinoma (cT4N2M1, stage IV). She was treated by carboplatin+gemcitabine, gefitinib and docetaxel and the responses were stable disease in any treatment. As the fourth-line treatment, she received oral chemotherapy using S-1 at 100 mg/day (80 mg/m2 day) for 28 days, followed by withdrawal for 14 days. Tumor size was reduced 29.2% after 1 course, 62.5% after 5 courses and 83.3% after 10 courses (14 months). Hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were mild with the S-1 administration. We experienced a case of continuation of tumor shrinkage over a year without serious adverse events by S-1 treatment. Therefore, oral administration of S-1 could be useful for the treatment of recurrent non-small cell lung cancer over a long time.

Expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.

Amino acid transport systems play an important role in cellular proliferation. L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) has been associated with tumor growth, and is highly expressed in the established tumor cell lines and primary human neoplasms. In this study, we investigated the expression of LAT1 to evaluate the malignant potential and prognostic significance in neuroendocrine (NE) tumors of the lung. Twenty-one surgically resected, large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC), 13 small cell lung cancers (SCLC), five atypical carcinoids (AC), and 10 typical carcinoids (TC) were enrolled in the study. LAT1 expression and Ki-67 labeling index of the NE tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. LAT1 was overexpressed in 52.4% of the LCNEC, in 46.2% of the SCLC, and in 25% of the AC. LAT1 expression in LCNEC was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and poor outcome. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between LAT1 expression and Ki-67 in both LCNEC and SCLC. Expression of LAT1 tended to increase from low-grade to high-grade NE tumors. The present results suggest that LAT1 may play a significant role in cellular proliferation, lymph node metastasis, and poor outcome in patients with NE tumors of the lung.

Phase II prospective study of the efficacy of gefitinib for the treatment of stage III/IV non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations, irrespective of previous chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are associated with increased sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of gefitinib in patients with stage III/IV NSCLC whose tumors carried EGFR mutations, irrespective of previous chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Genomic DNA was extracted from tumor specimens and EGFR mutations in exons 19 and 21 analyzed by direct sequencing. Patients with stage III/IV NSCLC whose tumors had the EGFR mutations received gefitinib (250 mg/day orally). Response, toxicity and survival data were assessed. RESULT: From November 2004-May 2006, 21 patients with EGFR mutations received gefitinib (median age: 59 years; 17 females; 19 non-smokers; all had adenocarcinomas). Two patients discontinued gefitinib and withdrew from the study 3 weeks after gefitinib initiation (interstitial pneumonitis, 1 patient; facial acne, 1 patient). Of 19 patients, 3 achieved complete response, 13 exhibited partial response and 3 had stable disease. Response and disease control rates were 76% (95% confidence interval [CI] 53-92) and 90% (95% CI 70-99), respectively. The most common adverse event was skin toxicity (67%); however, no grade 4 skin toxicities were seen. Ten patients relapsed and three died at a median follow-up period of 12.6 months (range 5.6-23.8 months); median progression-free survival was 12.9 months. CONCLUSION: Analysis of tumor EGFR mutations in patients with NSCLC could be used to identify patients suitable for treatment with gefitinib to obtain optimum response and disease control rates.

[A case of pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy associated with primary lung cancer in a young adult successfully treated with gefitinib].

The patient was a 39-year-old woman admitted with complaints of fever, clubbed fingers and arthralgia. A chest roentgenogram and chest computed tomographic scan revealed a mass in the left lower lobe. Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was made. Physical examination confirmed finger clubbing in both hands. Bone scintigram showed marked accumulation of 99mTc-MDP in the long bones, bones of the elbows, and patellae. These findings yielded a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy associated with primary lung cancer in young adult. The patient had fever and disturbance of gait of arthralgia on admission, and was treated with an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammation drug (NSAID). Advanced non small cell lung cancer (clinical stage T2 N3 M1, Stage IV) was then diagnosed. Gefitinib was administered after EGFR mutation was found in the tumor specimen. NSAID therapy alleviated the fever and arthralgia. After starting gefitinib and discontinuing the NSAID, She had kept a remission of rational symptom with cytoreductive effect. The abnormal findings of bone scintigrams subsequently disappeared and the patient's serum ICTP dropped.

[A case of multidrug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer responding to TS-1].

A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital, complaining of exertional breathlessness. Chest radiograph revealed a right pleural effusion. Cytology for pleural effusion revealed adenocarcinoma; thus, he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer (clinical stage T 4 N 0 M 0, Stage IIIB). Since tumor recurrence occurred despite CBDCA+gemcitabine, docetaxel, gefitinib and vinorelbine administrations, he received fifth-line oral chemotherapy using TS-1 at 120 mg/day (80 mg/m(2)/day) for 28 days, followed by withdrawal for 14 days. Chest computed tomography showed a partial response. Hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were mild with the TS-1 administration. TS-1 could be an effective agent for treatment of multidrug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer.

Epigenetic inactivation of the RUNX3 gene in lung cancer.

The silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) by aberrant hypermethylation occurs frequently in human cancer. Recently the RUNX3 gene was identified as a TSG inactivated by hypermethylation. We examined RUNX3 expression by reverse transcription-PCR and the methylation status of this gene by methylation specific-PCR in 43 lung cancer cell lines and 120 primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor samples. RUNX3 expression was absent in 10 (50%) of 20 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines, 8 (50%) of 16 adenocarcinoma (AdC) cell lines, and 1 (33.3%) of 3 squamous cell carcinoma (SqC) cell lines. The frequency of RUNX3 methylation was significantly higher in AdC (7/16, 43.8%) than SCLC cell lines (1/20, 5%; p=0.032). RUNX3 expression was restored by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and/or trichostatin-A in AdC cell lines. These results indicated that RUNX3 expression was regulated by aberrant hypermethylation in AdC cell lines. RUNX3 methylation was detected in 30 (25%) of 120 primary NSCLC tumors. RUNX3 methylation was significantly more frequent in non-smokers (16/43, 37.2%) than smokers (12/71, 16.9%; p=0.014), and in patients with AdC (26/72, 36.1%) than in patients with SqC (3/45, 6.7%; p<0.001). These results indicated that silencing of the RUNX3 gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, and aberrant methylation is an important mechanism of inactivation of the RUNX3 gene in lung AdC.

Clinicopathologic significance of the mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: It has been reported that the mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are detected in lung cancers. Studies of EGFR mutations in large numbers of patients' tumors with clinical data including response to EGFR tyrosine kinase directed therapy are needed to develop a robust database for clinical use. The purpose of the present study is to gain further insights into the significance of EGFR mutation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the clinicopathologic significance of tyrosine kinase domain (exons 18-21) EGFR mutations in 120 patients with primary NSCLC and the correlation between EGFR mutation and sensitivity to gefitinib in an additional 20 NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib. In addition, onocogenic KRAS mutations and RASSF1A promoter methylation were determined in the same samples. RESULTS: EGFR mutation was detected in 29 of 120 (24%) tumors. All of the 29 (40%) mutations occurred in 72 adenocarcinomas. EGFR mutation was significantly more frequent in females (47%) than males (12%, P < 0.0001), in younger patients (38%) than older patients (10%, P = 0.0005), in nonsmokers (47%) than smokers (13%, P < 0.0001), and in well-differentiated tumors (39%) than moderately and poorly differentiated tumors (7%, P < 0.0001). Mutation of the EGFR gene was preferentially observed in advanced disease. Furthermore, EGFR mutations were detected in 11 of 14 (79%) responders, whereas none of six (0%) nonresponders had the mutation (P = 0.0022). CONCLUSIONS: These results in Japanese (East Asian) patients indicated that EGFR mutation plays an important role in pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma.

Clinicopathological significance of aberrant methylation of RARbeta2 at 3p24, RASSF1A at 3p21.3, and FHIT at 3p14.2 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

We investigated the clinicopathological significance of aberrant methylation of the retinoic acid receptor-beta2 (RARbeta2), RAS association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) and fragile histidine triad (FHIT) genes located on choromosome 3p in 120 patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by a methylation-specific PCR method. Aberrant methylation of these was detected in 31 (26%), 35 (29%) and 43 (36%) tumors, respectively. There was no correlation with the methylation status of any of the genes. RARbeta2 methylation was more frequently observed in patients with a smoking history (19 of 61, 31%) than in patients without one (3 of 29, 10%, P = 0.0373). RARbeta2 methylation was also preferentially observed in advanced stage NSCLC (12 of 71 (17%) in stage I, 5 of 15 (33%) in stage II, 11 of 24 (46%) in stage III, and 3 of 8 (38%) in stage IV, P = 0.0057 (stage I versus II, III,and IV)). FHIT methylation was predominantly detected in tumors with vascular invasion (21 of 44, 48%, P = 0.0703) or lymphatic permeation (28 of 59, 47%, P = 0.0115). RASSF1A methylation was more frequently observed in adenocarcinomas (28 of 72, 39%) than in squamous cell carcinomas (6 of 45, 13%, P = 0.0033). These results indicate that aberrant methylation of the candidate tumor suppressor genes on 3p plays a respective role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.

A phase II study of amrubicin, a synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline, in patients with previously treated lung cancer.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of amrubicin, a new anthracycline agent, in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Eligible patients were required to have recurrent or refractory NSCLC and SCLC after one or two previous chemotherapy regimens. All patients received intravenous amrubicin 35 mg/m(2) on days 1-3 every 3 weeks. Overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (37 NSCLC and 29 SCLC) were assessable for efficacy and safety evaluation. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 39.4% of all patients (NSCLC, 37.8%; SCLC, 41.4%). Nonhematological toxicities were mild. No treatment-related death was observed. The ORRs were 13.5% (95% CI, 4.5-28.8%) in NSCLC and 44.8% (95% CI, 26.4-64.3%) in SCLC. In SCLC, ORRs were 60.0% in the sensitive relapse and 36.8% in the refractory relapse (p=0.2332). In NSCLC, the PFS, OS, and 1-year survival were 3.3 months, 12.0 months, and 35.3%, respectively. In SCLC, the PFS, OS, and 1-year survival were 4.0 months, 12.0 months, and 46.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Amrubicin is an active and well-tolerated regimen in patients with previously treated lung cancer. Amrubicin 35 mg/m(2) seems to achieve similar efficacy with less toxicity than amrubicin 40 mg/m(2) in this patient population. These results warrant further evaluation in previously treated lung cancer.

Phase 2 study of S-1 plus carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

We conducted a phase II study of S-1 and carboplatin combination regimen in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with S-1 and carboplatin. S-1 was administered orally twice daily for 14 days and carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1 of each cycle, and this was repeated every 4 weeks. Twenty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. The main grade 3 or 4 toxicities observed during the first cycle were neutropenia (10.3%), thrombocytopenia (41%), and transaminase elevation. Objective responses were seen in 9 patients (response rate 31.0%). The median survival time and median progression-free survival were 16.0 months (95% CI, 12.1-19.0 months) and 4.5 months (95% CI, 3.2-6.1 months), respectively. Hematological adverse events reaching grade 3 or 4 were neutropenia (10.3%), anemia (3.4%), and thrombocytopenia (3.4%). No febrile neutropenia was detected. Nonhematological toxicities were also mild. Although grade 3 infection was observed in 1 patient, the patient improved without intervention. The combination of S-1 plus carboplatin is an active and well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. Further investigations are required to confirm our results in randomized trials.

A phase I dose-escalation study of S-1 plus carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

We conducted a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the recommended dose and the safety profile of S-1 and carboplatin combination regimen in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were treated with S-1 and carboplatin. S-1 was administered orally twice daily for 14 days and carboplatin on day 1 of each cycle, and this was repeated every 4 weeks. Doses of each drug were planned as follows: level 1, 5/65; level 2, 5/80; level 3, 6/80 [carboplatin (area under the curve, mg/ml/min)/S-1 (mg/m/day)]. The dose-limiting toxicity of the regimen was assessed during the first chemotherapy cycle. Twelve patients were enrolled in this study. The main grade 3 or grade 4 toxicities observed during the first cycle were neutropenia (41%), thrombocytopenia (41%) and transaminase elevation. Two of three patients in level 2 had dose-limiting toxicity and this level was considered the maximum tolerated dose. Level 1 was selected as the recommended dose. Objective responses were seen in four patients (response rate 33%). The combination of S-1 plus carboplatin is a feasible and well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

A phase I dose escalation study of biweekly gemcitabine and carboplatin in completely resected stage IB-IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a phase I dose escalation study to determine the maximum tolerated dose, recommended dose, and safety profile of a biweekly gemcitabine and carboplatin combination regimen in the treatment of patients with completely resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with completely resected pathologically documented stage IB, II, or IIIA NSCLC, performance status (ECOG) 0-1, with adequate bone marrow, renal, liver, and cardiac functions, were treated with gemcitabine and carboplatin. The starting dose was gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15 and carboplatin area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) 4 mg/mL/min on day 1. Gemcitabine was increased to 1000 mg/m2 (level 3). Carboplatin was increased to AUC 5 (level 2, 3). The regimen was performed every 4 weeks. The dose-limiting toxicity of the regimen was assessed during the first chemotherapy cycle. RESULTS: Nine patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were assessed for safety. Grade 3 leukopenia occurred in 1 patient (11%) and grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 3 patients (33%). No other grade 3/4 toxicity was observed. No dose-limiting toxicity was experienced at dose levels 1, 2, and 3 of this schedule. CONCLUSION: Maximum tolerated dose was not reached in this study. Considering treatment continuation, the recommended dose for a phase II study is gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 15 and carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1, every 4 weeks. Biweekly administration of gemcitabine and carboplatin is a feasible and well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of patients with completely resected NSCLC as adjuvant chemotherapy.

Genetic and epigenetic inactivation of LTF gene at 3p21.3 in lung cancers.

Allelic loss on the short arm of chromosome 3 is one of the most common events in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The lactotransferrin gene (LTF, also referred to as the lactoferrin gene, LF) is located at 3p21.3 common eliminated region 1, which is frequently deleted in lung and other cancers. The expression of the LTF gene was absent in 16 (59%) of 27 small cell lung cancer cell lines, 33 (77%) of 43 nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and 7 (54%) of 13 primary NSCLC, while LTF mRNA was overexpressed in 3 (7%) of 43 NSCLC cell lines. Its expression was restored by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), trichostatin A (TSA) or a combination of both in a subset of lung cancer cell lines without LTF expression. In addition, we found 8 different types of nucleotide substitutions and one frameshift mutation. These results indicate that the LTF gene is inactivated by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in lung cancer.

Papillary adenocarcinoma of the lung is a more advanced adenocarcinoma than bronchioloalveolar carcinoma that is composed of two distinct histological subtypes.

To clarify the clinicopathological nature of papillary adenocarcinoma (PA) of the lung, 20 cases of PA were collected consecutively from resected adenocarcinoma of the lung, studied immunohistochemically and, using molecular techniques, compared with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC). Clinicopathologically, PA occurred in 7.4% and dominantly in female patients. Morphologically, PA was divided into two subtypes according to the presence of residual alveolar structures, detected by elastica van Gieson stain. One of these subtypes was closely related to the morphology of BAC and might be diagnosed as adenocarcinoma with mixed subtypes. The other PA subtype was composed of tall columnar cells and grew compressively, which was similar to type F adenocarcinoma previously reported by Noguchi et al. Immunohistochemical studies using lung tissue-specific antigens, progression markers and tumor suppressor products found that PA seemed a more advanced adenocarcinoma than BAC, but no differences were observed among PA subtypes. Molecular biological analysis using three microsatellite markers at chromosome 3p revealed more frequent loss of heterozygosity in PA than BAC, with no differences among PA subtypes. These findings suggest that PA is a more advanced adenocarcinoma subtype than BAC. Further investigations are needed to clarify true PA as clinicopathologically and biologically independent from other histological subtypes of adenocarcinoma of the lung.